Some people have very short memories when it comes to Boris Johnson

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Sunday 23 October 2022 12:40 BST

Like the failed Liz Truss, he too is imbued with a gigantic ego which blinds him to his own inadequacy (AP)

I can’t really understand why Boris Johnson’s opponents are not making more of his recent holidaying. His serial vacationing seems to show a shocking lack of commitment to his party, the country and his constituents.

As for his supporters claiming that only he has a mandate to rule, this is plainly incorrect under our system. Anyone who leads the party, as long as they promise to deliver the election manifesto as far as is practicable, can claim to have a mandate to govern. A prime minister is not a president.

It could also be strongly argued that any personal mandate he may once have been able to claim is now void, since he was found to have broken the law, and has been decided, by his own party, to be unfit for office.

Tim Maddren

Rutland

The big decisions

I have just read that Priti Patel has stated that “Boris Johnson has a proven track record getting the big decisions right”.

I recall the hesitation and delay in going into lockdown on 23 March 2020 whilst our European neighbours had made that decision some two weeks earlier. Our delay resulted in a substantial increase in Covid-related deaths, many of which would have been avoided if the decision to enter lockdown had been made sooner.

I am sure that the families who suffered the loss of loved ones as a result of our failure to enter lockdown sooner, will be rightly incredulous that this assertion of “getting the big decisions right” is being promoted.

Colin Washer

West Sussex

Brexit psychosis

There has been much talk of a divided country since the referendum result. Leavers dominate public discourse. The right-wing press created the demeaning metaphor of Remoaners for those who hold the opposite view, whilst simply referring to all others as Brexiteers. Roundheads and Cavaliers.

I have come to the realisation that those vested with the title of Brexiteer are infected with a strange psychosis. It has robbed them of the most basic instinct: right from wrong. The clown who led their cause became so mired in sleaze and wrongdoing that he was forced out of office. Unbelievably, Conservative Party members, MPs even the odd secretary of state, are clamouring for his return.

Like the failed Liz Truss, he too is imbued with a gigantic ego which blinds him to his own inadequacy.

I am fighting the urge to fully despise the Conservative Party as I believe hatred diminishes the hater, but if they bring back Johnson I fear for my wellbeing.

Graham Barlow

Wirral

A Labour ally?

To date, the opposition parties have not taken Jacob Rees-Mogg to task. Presumably by inadvertence or design, they seem to recognise him as an unwitting asset.

Over many years, he and his cohorts have weakened and distorted the Conservative Party and our country through divisive policies. His influence reached a zenith with Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Maybe it is waning, evidenced by his reported behaviour in the lobby during Labour’s fracking motion.

To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here

If he remains, the Conservative Party may implode, allowing the opposition parties (jointly or separately) into power.

Alan Gordon-Lee

Hills View

Like a Dalmatian eating a starfish

Tom Peck on the Tory party being like a dog returning to its own vomit made us laugh out loud. An amusingly apposite analogy.

We recall our late Dalmatian devouring a starfish only to vomit it up and immediately eat it again. I can see Johnson’s face staring up from the rancid echinoderm as I conjure that mental image!